To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster how many magistrates there are in the Duchy; and how many have declared they are freemasons or members of any other secret society. [34942]

There are 4,200 magistrates in the Duchy area.No statistics are kept on the number of magistrates who are freemasons or who belong to other secret societies.Being a freemason or member of any society is neither a qualification nor a disqualification to becoming a magistrate.All magistrates take a judicial oath to dispense justice without fear or favour.

To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster for how long it has been the practice for candidates for the magistracy in the Duchy of Lancaster to declare membership of secret societies. [34943]

Advisory committees ask candidates for the magistracy about their outside interests. This has been the practice for many years.The overriding requirement is suitability for recommendation for appointment.